University of Wisconsin President Ray Cross on Tuesday asked the Legislature's budget-writing committee to approve a new public authority for the UW System, a "dedicated and stable funding stream" and to reduce the governor's proposed $300 million budget cut over the next two years.

Shortly after he finished his testimony, a handful of protesters burst into the room shouting, "No cuts, no deals." Followed by four Capitol police officers, the protesters marched past the table where Cross was sitting to give testimony before the Joint Committee on Finance.

If Park Bank is liable for not spotting Sujata "Sue" Sachdeva's $34 million embezzlement from Koss Corp. and has to reimburse the company, Koss Chief Executive Michael Koss should also be ordered to personally pay the public company he runs, the bank argues in a new lawsuit.

Grant Thornton, Koss Corp.'s former auditor, should also have to pay a portion of any award that may be ordered, Park Bank argued in the latest twist in a long-running court fight stemming from Sachdeva's massive embezzlement.

"Park Bank denies any and all liability to Koss in this case," the bank said in its action. "Nevertheless, should Park Bank be found liable to Koss (Corp.) and required to pay damages to Koss, in this case, those damages will have been the result of a common liability of Park Bank, Michael Koss and Grant Thornton, thereby entitling Park Bank to (a) contribution from Michael Koss and Grant Thornton."(3)

Van Gundy expects a battle

Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy was blaming himself for his team's failure to get the ball to Dwight Howard in the fourth quarter of a 97-93 loss at Cleveland on Tuesday night.

Howard didn't take a shot in the final quarter as Cleveland stormed back to win and extend its lead in the Eastern Conference race over the Boston Celtics and Magic.

But Van Gundy said the Magic needed to be ready for a strong effort from the Bucks in the game at the Bradley Center, scheduled for a 7 p.m. tip-off.

"We're going to have to match their energy," Van Gundy said. "This is a very hard-playing team. Scott (Skiles) has done about as good a job as anybody in the league.

"They play hard; they play together. The ball moves. The pace of the game is very fast. It's a difficult game at any point, but coming off the game we had last night, a very difficult game."

The Bucks must face the Magic three times over the last 13 games, with a road game in Orlando next week and the final regular-season home game against the Magic on April 13.

"It's obviously an elite team in the East, a contending-type team," Skiles said. "You've got to deal with Dwight inside, of course, and they do such a good job of spacing and spreading the floor with shooters.

"You've got to be ready to mix up your coverages on him (Howard). They're a big pick-and-roll team, and you've got to have your pick-and-roll coverage sharp.

"We'd like to get it up and down the floor a little bit. We think a slower pace doesn't benefit us tonight."

The 6-foot-11 Howard leads the league in rebounding (14.0 per game) and blocks (3.0 per game) and is averaging 20.9 points while shooting 57.4% from the floor and 60.5% from the foul line.

Despite his ugly free throw percentage, Howard has attempted 699 foul shots this season (converting 423). In February he passed Tracy McGrady as the franchise leader in free throws made, and in January the Magic center passed Shaquille O'Neal as the franchise leader in free throws attempted.